Nadal said it's unlikely he will win 3 Slams when he comes back.

merwy

G.O.A.T.
Alcaraz getting a win over Nadal at RG, to add to his win over Djokovic at W would be something for the future GOAT.
I can’t imagine anyone playing now, even Alcaraz, winning anything close to the number of slams that the Big 3 have. Which is funny since the Big 3 had to divide the slams among each other and still managed to win so many.
 

jm1980

Talk Tennis Guru
“[Djokovic] had a physique and a way of playing that allowed him to compete more than me. I have no choice but to recognise this, I did what I could."
Nadal deliberately chose his physique and playing style knowing the trade-offs.

You can't possibly be that big and play with that kind of intensity all season long, year and year out. He should count himself lucky that he was able to sustain it for as long as he did
 

mavsman149

Hall of Fame
Even as a Novak fan, it would be kinda cool to see him win one more Roland Garros, as long as it’s not at Djokovic’s expense lol
 

Matrix968

Semi-Pro
He'll be 38 years old if he plays RG next year, people seem to ignore that.
Well, Roger was about the same age at Wimby 2019, if I'm not mistaken. I expect Rafa to produce at least similar level, we are talking about RG, aren't we? I hope he show up ready for battle and I pray for one more Rafole final at PC,...
I must finish my post now, I'm drooling all over my phone as I write this :D
 

mavsman149

Hall of Fame
Nadal deliberately chose his physique and playing style knowing the trade-offs.

You can't possibly be that big and play with that kind of intensity all season long, year and year out. He should count himself lucky that he was able to sustain it for as long as he did

I remember when he first broke out most people thought he would have a very short career, kind of like how everyone thought Roddick would blow out his shoulder.
 
Well, Roger was about the same age at Wimby 2019, if I'm not mistaken. I expect Rafa to produce at least similar level, we are talking about RG, aren't we? I hope he show up ready for battle and I pray for one more Rafole final at PC,...
I must finish my post now, I'm drooling all over my phone as I write this :D
Alcaraz will be very tough to stop at RG next year.
 

jm1980

Talk Tennis Guru
Even as a Novak fan, it would be kinda cool to see him win one more Roland Garros, as long as it’s not at Djokovic’s expense lol
This is why I laugh when Nadal fans bring up the tournaments he missed due to injury

Without taking the breaks that he did, Nadal would have ended his career in a wheelchair 10 years ago
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
This is why I laugh when Nadal fans bring up the tournaments he missed due to injury

Without taking the breaks that he did, Nadal would have ended his career in a wheelchair 10 years ago
More like if he had a robo-body like Novak he would have 30 slams.
 

Tweener

Semi-Pro
A whole year without a competitive match at 37 going to 38...

He will not win any GS on his return. He no longer has the body to do it.
The other challenge is his current ranking. He's going to get some tough early round match ups and will likely need to go through several top 5 players to win any tournaments early on in his comeback. I think he'll do well but anything more than 1 or 2 more slams before he retires seems like a stretch. I could see him targeting RG and the olympics as his swan song given the venue.
 

Matrix968

Semi-Pro
Alcaraz will be very tough to stop at RG next year.
You are 100% right, that kid already proved he's capable of playind at really high levels and winning big matches. It's gonna be interesting to see in which part of the draw Rafa will land, I hope not Nole's. Not that I think Carlos will be to big of a obstacle for Novak, I just wanna see another Nole-Rafa final, that's it...
 

vive le beau jeu !

Talk Tennis Guru
He seems very salty lately
salt-and-vinegar-beef-jerky-112_720x.jpg
 

jm1980

Talk Tennis Guru
More like if he had a robo-body like Novak he would have 30 slams.
It's totally a function of how Nadal chose to bulk himself up for additional power.

Why do you think no ATG has ever had Nadal's physique?

All that muscle mass he carries around is brutal on the joints in a sport like tennis
 

Federev

Legend
Alcaraz getting a win over Nadal at RG, to add to his win over Djokovic at W would be something for the future GOAT.
True. Would be symbolically epic.

But of course…Pre-peak Teen Federer’s win over a 29 year old defending champ Sampras gets belittled on revisionist TTW by a few Novak fans/Fed detractors regularly.

Considering what Fed went on to do, Alcaraz’ win over two guys now in their latter 30s shouldn’t be any more epic worthy.

Yours truly,
Salty Butt-hurt Fed Fan.
 

jackson vile

G.O.A.T.
He had better comeback with something new and amazing or he’s going to be repeatedly embarrassed

I have a feeling the new generation are not going to allow him to walk all over them and they just might teach him and everyone else a big lesson
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
We are all just speculating as to what may or may not happen to Nadal in 2024. One thing for sure the deadline is nearing whether he submits his entry for the 2024 AO or not.
One article I read Nadal is saying that his foot is not right and then I see a photo of him playing golf.
Unfortunately ankle and foot injuries are very temperamental and one wrong movement and they swell up.
To be honest I have no idea of what will happen.
 
“I missed four and a half years of Grand Slams due to injury, this is the reality. But that’s also sport. That’s not why I’m better than Djokovic, because I played less,” analysed the former world No 1.

“He had a physique and a way of playing that allowed him to compete more than me. I have no choice but to recognise this, I did what I could. Sometimes I come back and win three Grand Slams, but it’s unlikely.



What??? I thought it was fake quote trolling when I first read it.
 

marc45

G.O.A.T.
“I would change many things in my life and my career. I have made wrong decisions when it comes to protecting my physique. Djokovic, he has done better because his way of playing has allowed him to play more than me. But I was wrong for thinking that my decisions were good.”

blunt
 

Malli

New User
It's pathetic. Nadal's comments show him up as a surly loser. On top of it, his uncle, Toni, has been making random statements about Djokovic. Just get over it - folks. Djokovic has won 24 slams. It is highly unlikely that Rafael Nadal would ever win another one. That is ok. It does not diminish that he is possibly the most dominant player ever on clay
 

Baseline_Bungle

Hall of Fame
I mean he didn’t say anything that wasn’t true or controversial there lol.

Also if you’re going to quote the man OP at least include the entire statement. Here’s a huge chunk of what he said where he’s clearly giving Joker props for taking better care of his body:

“I would change many things in my life and my career. I have made wrong decisions when it comes to protecting my physique. Djokovic, he has done better because his way of playing has allowed him to play more than me. But I was wrong for thinking that my decisions were good.”
Nah, that's actually just more salt. He's simply reinforcing the point that Djokovic won more only because of Nad's injuries.
 

darthrafa

Hall of Fame
Alcaraz getting a win over Nadal at RG, to add to his win over Djokovic at W would be something for the future GOAT.
i dont think so coz the dominance of djoker in such a weak era possibly would not be repeated. that said, fed is my GOAT though he won less than djoker
 

D.Nalby12

G.O.A.T.
Federer was slam leader for like 12+ years. Then he got surpassed by Nadal first and then by Djokovic. Still I don't remember a single negative comment from him. He just congratulated new record holder and moved on. Otoh Nadal held Slam record for just year and half. But he is acting like a kid who believes record has been unfairly snatched away from him. He constantly reminds us "I'm equally good but I missed four and half years blah blah... "
 
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nolefam_2024

Talk Tennis Guru
Federer was slam leader for like 12+ years. Then he got surpassed by Nadal first and then by Djokovic. Still I don't remember a single negative comment from him. He just congratulated new record holder and moved on. Otoh Nadal held Slam record for just year and half. But he is acting like a kid who believes record has been unfairly snatched away from him.
Nadal should get humbled again like four Wimbledon first week loses. It was really humiliating.
 

DSH

Talk Tennis Guru
His obsession with slam record is showing. It's pathetic to see everytime he brings "four and half years slams missed because of injuries" whenever he mentions Djokovic ' slam record. Guy is total loser
Your last comment is quite ironic.
:laughing::-D
 

joekapa

Legend
Djoko fanatics have always been salty towards Rafa, no matter what he is doing.
Not really. We recognized his greatness, and realized he was Novak's greatest rivals. The man to beat.

Unlike Nadal, who always pumped up his rivalry with Federer, because he couldn't stand being beaten, or having Novak seen as his equal.

He assumed that he would be the crowned prince of tennis, to follow Federer.

He assumed wrong.
 

fedfan24

Hall of Fame
We are in the asterisk era now, don't forget. Djokovic inflated his stats by a lot in this era, especially in tournaments which he REALLY struggled to win during this prime/peak.
it's kinda weird that he always struggled outside of australia during his prime, and only started to clean up in his 30s winning them easier than ever with a lower level. Curious.
 

Terenigma

G.O.A.T.
Nadal's true colours finally showing. It's why I've never liked him. He is just excuse after excuse and has been his entire career and even during matches he showed incredibly poor gamesmanship with his "routine" and slowing down points when he was facing BP and it wasn't until 2/3 of the way into his career that the shot-clock got implemented and forced him to obey but still he stayed popular for some reason.

I think he was living in delusion about himself and his talent with the media and how his PR team covered for the fact that when it comes to Djokovic, he couldn't beat him anywhere but clay and was ALWAYS better than him and now he can't deny it because it's right there for everyone to see.

I'm loving every second of his salt though. :-D
 

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
It seems to me that most of Nadal's injury problems are his fault due to game style and poor tournament scheduling, primarily playing too many clay court tournaments fairly early in the season. Rafa is Not a loser but somewhat in denial. I also think there could be a problem with the language translation.
Rafa bashers have written this since Rafa turned a pro, and they have been constantly wrong.
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Nadal's true colours finally showing. It's why I've never liked him. He is just excuse after excuse and has been his entire career and even during matches he showed incredibly poor gamesmanship with his "routine" and slowing down points when he was facing BP and it wasn't until 2/3 of the way into his career that the shot-clock got implemented and forced him to obey but still he stayed popular for some reason.

I think he was living in delusion about himself and his talent with the media and how his PR team covered for the fact that when it comes to Djokovic, he couldn't beat him anywhere but clay and was ALWAYS better than him and now he can't deny it because it's right there for everyone to see.

I'm loving every second of his salt though. :-D
Love these 22 slams :D
 

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
He has become OBSESSED with Djokovic. Maybe a way of hiding his man crush....

And no Rafa, you ain't better than Djokovic. Heck, you ain't better than Federer, except on clay.
Rafa bashers are obsessed with him. They are obsessed with everything he says when answering questions from journalists.
 

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
It's totally a function of how Nadal chose to bulk himself up for additional power.

Why do you think no ATG has ever had Nadal's physique?

All that muscle mass he carries around is brutal on the joints in a sport like tennis
Only Rafa's arms are muscular.
 

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
..
Unlike Nadal, who always pumped up his rivalry with Federer, because he couldn't stand being beaten ...
...
This is true that Rafa doesn't want to be beaten. The reason for this is that he has a competitive nature and a warrior spirit.
He says in his autobiography (“Rafa: My Story”, published in 2011): "One thing I do seem to have in common with everyone I've ever heard about who has succeeded in sports is a fanatical competitive edge. As a little boy I'd hate losing at anything. Cards, a little football game in the garage, whatever. … I don't know where all that comes from. Maybe from watching my uncles compete in the bar at billiards with their friends. Yet it used to amaze even them that, sweet as I supposedly was, I became transformed into a little demon whenever there was a game on."
 
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